Anything goes Candy! Sweet Tooth Cravings

When I want Chocolate and sweets I can't be stopped so today when I scouted through my pantry and could only find chocolate chips instead of a candy bar I thought "why not make my own"?   Easy peezy recipe..Here goes.

1 cup chocolate morsels or chips (whatever is hanging around)
1 T butter
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 to 1 1/2 cups broken pretzels, chopped nuts, (all to equal 1 1/2 cups total)

Note:  You must add marshmallows to hold the candy together...

Milk and Dark Chocolate (front are with coconut) Back Pretzel sticks broken up.

Combine chocolate, butter and marshmallows.  Microwave until melted(approx. 2 to 3 minutes)..  Fold in broken pretzels,  nuts, cranberries etc. Spoon by teaspoons or tablespoons depending on desired size onto waxed or parchment paper and cool completely.  p.s. I refrigerated mine!  Yum!

8/27/13

11/21/13

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Easy coffee cake

Last week when I was grocery shopping I picked up a boxed  Cinnamon streusel coffee cake which was very good but yesterday I made a from scratch coffee cake and it was just as good and possibly better than the boxed mix and I felt good knowing that I new every ingredient that was in it.  I had all the ingredients which are basic kitchen staples..  Why buy boxed when this scratch cake is so super easy?

 You probably have everything needed to make this for a weekend breakfast.  Enjoy!

Easy for a quick breakfast.  It hits the spot with coffee or tea!  I used a throw away aluminum pan just because...Have a great day!

Bake this easy streusel coffee cake in a square or round layer-cake pan. The cake is baked with a cinnamon- brown sugar topping.

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• Topping:
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
• Note:( I usually buy pre-sifted flour).
• 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• .
• Cake:
• 1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour (sift before measuring)
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:

Topping. In small mixing bowl, combine topping ingredients. Blend with fork until crumbly. Set aside.

Sift 1 1/2 cups sifted flour with baking powder and salt into a bowl. In a medium bowl, beat together beaten egg and 3/4 cup sugar and 1/3 cup melted butter. Add milk and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture and mix well.

Preparation:

Topping. In small mixing bowl, combine topping ingredients. Blend with fork until crumbly. Set aside.

Sift 1 1/2 cups sifted flour with baking powder and salt into a bowl. In a medium bowl, beat together beaten egg and 3/4 cup sugar and 1/3 cup melted butter. Add milk and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture and mix well.

Pour batter into a greased and floured 8-inch square or 9-inch layer-cake pan. Sprinkle topping crumb mixture evenly over batter. Bake at 375° for 25 to 30 minutes, or until cake tests with a toothpick come clean.  Partially cool in pan on wire rack. Cut coffee cake into squares while still warm.

I adapted the recipe from About.com Southern Food

3/7/14

Buffalo chicken bites!

Light dinner tonight.  Some nights I don't feel like making or even eating a large meal.  Tonight was one of those evenings.  A nice salad, crispy celery and ground chicken seasoned perfectly.  A great meal or appetizer depending on the size you make them!

Enjoy!

• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs 
• 1/3 cup Hot sauce I used Frank's Hot sauce
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 large egg 
• 1/2 tsp. Garlic powder 
• 1/2 tsp. Onion powder 
• 1/2 tsp. Salt and pinch of pepper

• 1 pound lean ground chicken
• blue cheese or ranch salad dressing, optional

1. Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, 1/3 cup hot sauce, and egg, garlic and onion powder. Add chicken, salt and pepper.  Mix lightly but thoroughly.
2. Shape into approximately 20 to 24  1-in. balls. Place on a greased baking pan. Bake 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
3. If desired, drizzle with salad dressing just before serving. Makes about 20 medium size meatballs.
4. Note:   I mixed a little hot sauce with some sour cream and used this as the drizzle.  Side salad and some celery too! 

Chocolate Cake to the 10th degree!

Bake in 350 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes..  Oven's vary!   Mine is a gas oven..

One of the best chocolate cakes ever.

I have been friends with Diane for almost 12 years and I consider her to be one of my dearest friends.  She is a awesome person, a great cook and baker, and one that I can rely on to give me fantastic recipes.  She loves to bake!   This cake is not only moist and tender but chocolate like no other. .Here is her cake recipe..Hope you enjoy it as much as my family does.. 

Note:  You can also bake this cake in two round cake pans..I usually do mine in a bundt pan..I'll give you the baking time on both.. She also frosts her cake with peanut butter frosting..  I will add the frosting recipe as well...Enjoy!! Happy Baking!!!

1 3/4 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup Hershey cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 cup black coffee(I usually brew extra in the a.m. to have leftover for recipe)
1 cup sour milk (add 2 tsp. vinegar to sour)
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla
pecans, walnuts or almonds chopped(optional) I used approx. 1/4 cup chopped almonds for garnish on top

 Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla....Alternate dry ingredients and liquids..Grease and flour pans..(I use a little of sifted cocoa)..Bake 20 to 25 minutes for 2 round cake pans..If using a Bundt pan grease pan also and bake 45 minutes or until center comes out clean when inserting a toothpick..

Best Peanut butter Frosting!!!

Peanut Butter Frosting

18 oz. peanut butter
1 box 10 x sugar( confectionery)
1 stick butter (softened)
add milk until right consistency...add milk by 1 tablespoon at a time.

My Icing

1 box confectionery sugar
2 T. soft butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract.
Slowly beat in milk starting with 1/4 cup and add more if necessary for the soft, spreadable texture. Garnish with toasted almonds...





8/9/11

Make 2016 your year! Getting back on track

Good Morning! I had this beautiful inspirational message to post to you this a.m. I spend twenty minutes writing it and either my computer or Facebook decided to delete it all so I'm going to start it again. I'll start it by saying this year I am focusing on me! I could make a hundred excuses of why I shouldn't but I am not going to do that!

My mind is set this year on me. Me in the way of getting back on track with my weight. I know I can do it because I lost 35 lbs. 10 years ago and kept it off. I have gained some back uggh! I could blame medication, stress, eating out but basically it was once again some bad food choices and over eating......

Today I am going to do what I did 10 years ago. I was working so when I got a break(15 mi. or so)  I would pack cottage cheese and fruit to eat. (or something as an apple or applesauce in a  small container). Not a lot but enough for a small snack. When lunch came I ate light but filling things, (usually a half sandwich, fruit or yogurt. Lots of protein! Same in the afternoon small snack(granola bar or protein bar) for example.

Once or twice a week I would cook on top of the stove boneless chicken breasts with a little olive oil and garlic, salt and pepper. I'd Cut the chicken in cubes and refrigerate. I'd either pick at the chicken in between if I got a craving or use the chicken on salads. I'd change up the salad and always add more veggies.
 I'd use olive oil and vinegar to top the salad but would change off with other low in calorie dressings.You can easily make your own dressings with orange juice and olive oil.  Whisking juice with olive oil changes up the flavor and add strawberries, blueberries or any fruit that will spice up a salad.

Also for a snack I ate animal crackers. I really do like them.:) They are a great crunchy snacking treat. I'd package the animal crackers in little snack bags and eat around 16. I think that was a portion and the calories were low around 110 calories.

I felt really in control when I did portion my meals. I admit the last few years I have not been doing good portion control and snacking a lot between meals. I also love candy. Just about any candy I like so I am going to definitely try very hard to limit myself with that. Instead of big bags of candy I will do as I did then and on the way out of the grocery store buy 1 Hershey chocolate bar or some other candy bar or bag of chips if I want a treat..

I know lots of you have children and grandchildren so sweets and treats are around and that is so tempting but remember they also don't need a lot. I used to use the excuse I am buying them for the kids but found that I was the real KID who was eating them.

If you find this helpful I would like to hear from you. We CAN do this together....It'll be a great inspiration to me to hear how you are doing and maybe others. . Health is the main reason for my desire to get back on track but I won't lie so I have to say I want my clothes to look better without bulges.

 My both parents became diabetics when the were adults so I don't want to follow that pattern.

I am starting to re-post some healthier choices in recipes this  week and I plan on checking out some newer recipes along the way. Until then I will re-post some that I have and share with you.

Please feel free to share any or all with your friends. We are in this together. Weight is a number but our MIND controls everything so THINK POSITIVE AND LET'S START THE thinking2016 as getting healthier and looking better.  It's a  NEW YEAR WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE. 

 Love and Stuff (your Rosebud friend) That may sound familiar to some of you . I use that word to signify my healthy food dishes that I share. Please share this with anyone you think might like to join us for the New Year.

xo M.J.

1/2/14

repost 3/1/2016